nitres

Nitres, or nitrates, are chemical compounds comprising salts of nitric acid that include the nitrate ion, NO3−. In historical and some British usage, nitre (or nitre beds) refers especially to potassium nitrate (KNO3), a mineral and industrial compound also known as saltpeter. Nitrates are widely encountered as inorganic salts of various cations and, in general, are highly soluble in water.

Common inorganic nitres include potassium nitrate, sodium nitrate, calcium nitrate, and ammonium nitrate. These compounds are important agricultural fertilizers, supplying nitrate nitrogen to crops and helping to promote growth. They occur naturally in soils and mineral deposits and are produced industrially by neutralizing nitric acid with bases, or by processes associated with ammonia and nitrogen compounds.

Uses and applications vary: nitrates are central to modern fertilization regimes; potassium nitrate and ammonium nitrate have historical and contemporary roles in pyrotechnics and propellants, and nitrates also appear in some food-processing contexts where nitrites may be derived from nitrates for preservation and curing. In chemistry and manufacturing, nitrates function as oxidizers and as starting materials for a range of industrial products.

Safety and environmental considerations are important. Nitrates are oxidizing agents and can pose handling hazards. Excessive nitrate use or leakage can contribute to waterway eutrophication and drinking-water contamination, which poses health concerns, especially for infants. Regulations often govern nitrate production, storage, application, and monitoring to mitigate environmental and public health risks.